Complete Your Dinner

In a blender, grind all the sofrito ingredients thoroughly and set aside.

In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil and add ham cubes, reserving some for final cooking steps. Brown ham at medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes. Set aside.

Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the same pan. Add sofrito and cook for 3–4 minutes. Add tomato paste and achiote. Stir and cook for 3–4 additional minutes.

Add pigeon peas and cook for 1 minute at high heat. Add rice and mix well. Add 2 cups of water, liquid from pigeon peas cans, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook at medium-high heat until water evaporates. Lower heat, place plantain leaf over rice and cover with a lid. Cook for approximately 10–15 minutes or until rice is tender.

Add reserved ham cubes and olives to the rice 5 minutes before it is ready to be served. Mix well.